State of the Texas Rangers’ 2022 40-man roster at the MLB Lockout

The 40-man roster of the Texas Rangers looks very different from the roster that lost 102 regular season games in 2021.  The Rangers added and subtracted players from within the organization, then spent over $500M on free agents that will undoubtedly move the team in the right direction.

The current 40-man Texas Rangers roster, currently sitting at 39 players, is young, talented, powerful, and built for the next decade.  Once a new CBA is signed between the players and owners, there is sure to be additional movement before there is some kind of Spring Training in 2022.

Here is the current depth chart of the Texas Rangers 40-man roster.

State of the Texas Rangers’ 40-man roster: Starting Pitchers

The starting rotation is far from being set.  Dane Dunning and free agent signee Jon Gray are the veterans in the group with Gray being the elder statesman with seven years experience in the majors.  Taylor Hearn took a huge leap with a strong abbreviated season last year with the Rangers. One more veteran starter is needed to fill in one spot in the rotation, then the youngsters can battle it out in Spring Training for the 5th spot in the rotation.

Dane Dunning started 25 games for the Rangers last year.  In 2021, Dunning posted a 5-10 record and a 4.51 ERA.  Dunning earned a salary of $572,500 last year and is pre-arbitration eligible prior to 2022.  Dunning is under team control until after the 2026 season.

Taylor Hearn started 11 games as well as 31 relief appearances for the Rangers last year.  In 2021, Hearn posted a 6-6 record and a 4.66 ERA.  Hearn earned a salary of $582,500 last year and is pre-arbitration eligible prior to 2022.  Hearn is under team control until after the 2025 season.

Jon Gray started 29 games for the Colorado Rockies last year.  In 2021, Gray posted a record of 8-12 and a 4.59 ERA.  Gray recently signed a 4-year/$56M contract that will keep him in Texas through the 2025 season.

A.J. Alexy started 4 games for the Rangers last year.  In 2021, Alexy posted a 3-1 record and a 4.70 ERA.  Alexy is under team control until at least 2028 and his salary for 2022 is TBD because he is not yet arbitration eligible.

Kolby Allard started 17 games as well as 15 relief appearances for the Rangers last year.  In 2021, Allard posted a 3-12 record and a 5.41 ERA.  Allard earned a salary of $584,300 last year and is pre-arbitration eligible prior to 2022.  Allard is under team control through the 2025 season.

Spencer Howard started 15 games as well as 4 relief appearances split between Philadelphia and Texas last year.  In 2021, Howard posted a 0-5 record and a 7.43 ERA.  Howard is under team control until at least 2028 and his salary for 2022 is TBD because he is not yet arbitration eligible.

Glenn Otto started 6 games for the Rangers last year.  In 2021, Otto posted a 0-3 record and a 9.26 ERA.  Otto is under team control until at least 2028 and his salary for 2022 is TBD because he is not yet arbitration eligible.

Brock Burke started 20 games at AAA in the Texas organization last year.  In 2019, Burke started  6 games with Texas where he posted a record of 0-2 with a 7.43 ERA.  Burke is under team control until at least 2028 and his salary for 2022 is TBD because he is not yet arbitration eligible.

State of the Texas Rangers’ 40-man roster: Relief Pitchers

The health within the relief pitchers is the biggest question mark within the 40-man roster.  Jose Leclerc and Jonathan Hernandez missed all of last year and will not be ready to pitch in the majors until June or July.  Barring any other injuries, there are eight relievers set to hold the bullpen together until Leclerc and Hernandez can return.

Joe Barlow pitched in 31 games, all in relief, for the Rangers last year.  In 2021, Barlow posted a record of 0-2 and a 1.55 ERA and 11 SV in 12 opportunities.  Barlow is under team control until at least 2028 and his salary for 2022 is TBD because he is not yet arbitration eligible.

Brett Martin pitched in 66 games, all in relief, for the Rangers last year.  In 2021, Martin posted a record of 4-4 with a 3.18 ERA.  Martin will earn $1.1M in 2022.  Martin is under team control until after the 2025 season.

John King pitched in 27 games, all in relief, for the Rangers last year.  In 2021, King posted a record of 7-5 and a 3.52 ERA.  King is under team control until at least 2028 and his salary for 2022 is TBD because he is not yet arbitration eligible.

Spencer Patton pitched in 42 games, all in relief, for the Rangers last year.  In 2021, Patton posted a record of 2-2 and a 3.83 ERA.  Patton is under team control until after the 2026 season and his salary for 2022 is TBD because he is not yet arbitration eligible.

Josh Sborz pitched in 63 games, all in relief, for the Rangers last year.  In 2021, Sborz posted a record of 4-3 and a 3.97 ERA and 1 SV in 4 opportunities.  Sborz is under team control until at least 2028 and his salary for 2022 is TBD because he is not yet arbitration eligible.

Dennis Santana pitched in 55 games, all in relief, for the Rangers last year.  In 2021, Santana posted a record of 2-4 and a 4.28 ERA.  Santana is under team control until at least 2028 and his salary for 2022 is TBD because he is not yet arbitration eligible.

Nick Snyder pitched in 4 games, all in relief, for the Rangers last year.  In 2021, Snyder posted a record of 0-0 and a 4.91 ERA.  Snyder is under team control until at least 2028 and his salary for 2022 is TBD because he is not yet arbitration eligible.

Demarcus Evans pitched in 25 games, all in relief, for the Rangers last year.  In 2021, Evans posted a record of 0-2 and a 5.13 ERA.  Evans is under team control until at least 2028 and his salary for 2022 is TBD because he is not yet arbitration eligible.

Jose Leclerc missed most of 2020 and all of 2021 due to shoulder and elbow injuries.  Leclerc should be ready to pitch by mid-season in 2022.  Leclerc will earn $5.25M in 2022 and has two club options remaining ($6.0M and $6.25M) before he can file for free agency after the 2024 season.

Jonathan Hernandez missed all of 2021 after requiring Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow.  He should be ready to pitch by mid-season in 2022.  In 2020, Hernandez pitched in 27 games, all in relief, for the Rangers.  Hernandez had a record of 5-1 and a 2.90 ERA.  Hernandez is under team control until after the 2025 and his salary for 2022 is TBD because he is not yet arbitration eligible.

State of the Texas Rangers’ 40-man roster: Minor League Pitchers

Three minor league pitchers had to be added to the 40-man roster in order to protect them from the Rule-5 draft.  Each of these pitchers bring a unique skillset to the Texas Rangers and may play a factor in the 2022 season.

Yerry Rodriguez pitched in AA/AAA in 2021.  Rodriguez started 18 games as well as 9 relief appearances last year.  In 2021, Rodriguez posted a 4-4 record and a 4.63 ERA.  Rodriguez will likely start the year back in AAA.  He is under team control until at least 2028 and his salary for 2022 is TBD because he is not yet arbitration eligible.

Ronny Henriquez pitched in A+/AA in 2021.  Rodriguez started 16 games as well as 5 relief appearances last year.  In 2021, Henriquez posted a 5-7 record and a 4.71 ERA.  Henriquez will likely start the year back in AA.  He is under team control until at least 2028 and his salary for 2022 is TBD because he is not yet arbitration eligible.

Ricky Vanasco missed all of 2021 after receiving Tommy John surgery on his elbow in September 2020.  Vanasco missed 2020 because all MILB games were canceled due to COVID-19.  He should be at full strength to pitch in 2022 where he will start the season at either A+ or AA.  In 2019, Vanasco split the season between A(Short)/A(Full).  In 11 starts, Vanasco had a record of 3-1 and a 1.81 ERA.   He is under team control until at least 2028 and his salary for 2022 is TBD because he is not yet arbitration eligible.

State of the Texas Rangers’ 40-man roster: Catchers

The Rangers 40-man roster is down to three catchers after David Garcia and Yohel Pozo were non-tendered.  Both were re-signed to minor league deals and are likely to start the season in the MILB.  All three could make the Opening Day roster with the Rangers, with Huff able to play 1B or DH.

Jose Trevino played 89 games with Texas last year.  He hit for a .239 AVG, 5 HR, and 30 RBI.  Trevino is under team control until 2026 and his salary for 2022 is TBD because he is not yet arbitration eligible.

Johan Heim played 82 games with Texas in 2021.  He hit for a .196 AVG, 10 HR, 32 RBI.  Heim is under team control until 2027 and his salary for 2022 is TBD because he is not yet arbitration eligible.

Sam Huff injured his knee in Spring Training and did not play with the Rangers last year.  In 2020, Huff played 10 games with Texas where he hit for a .355 AVG, 3 HR, 4 RBI.  Huff is under team control until at least 2028 and his salary for 2022 is TBD because he is not yet arbitration eligible.

State of the Texas Rangers’ 40-man roster: Infielders

The infield is pretty much set after Marcus Semien and Corey Seager were added as free agents.  Isiah Kiner-Falefa will most likely move back to 3B, a position where he won a Gold Glove in 2020.  Nathaniel Lowe will be given every opportunity to start the season at 1B.  Five infielders will likely spend Spring Training trying to impress enough in order to make the Rangers as a utility infielder.  Josh Jung is not on the 40-man roster, but may figure into the plans at 3B with an exceptional spring.  This would cause several internal movements but, for now, I have Jung starting the year at AAA.

Nathaniel Lowe played 157 games, primarily at 1B for Texas last year.  He hit for a .264 AVG, 18 HR and 72 RBI.  Lowe made $575,000 last year and is pre-arbitration eligible prior to 2022.  Lowe is under team control until 2026.

Marcus Semien played all 162 games for the Toronto Blue Jays last year.  Semien will be the starting 2B for the Rangers in 2022.  In 2021, Semien hit for a .265 AVG, 45 HR, 102 RBI, and 15 SB with Toronto.  Semien recently signed a 7-year/$175M contract that will keep him in Texas through the 2028 season.

Corey Seager played 95 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers last year.  Seager will be the starting SS for the Rangers in 2022.  In 2021 Seager hit for a .306 AVG, 16 HR and 57 RBI with Los Angeles.  Seager recently signed a 10-year/$325M contract that will keep him in Texas through the 2031 season.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa played 158 games, primarily at SS for Texas last year.  In 2022, Kiner-Falefa will move back to 3B, a position where he won a Gold Glove in 2020.  In 2021, Kiner-Falefa hit for a .271 AVG, 18 HR and 72 RBI.  In 2022, Kiner-Falefa will make $4.9M and can file to become a free agent after the 2023 season.

Andy Ibanez played 76 games with Texas in 2021.  In 2021, Ibanez played all infield positions except SS for the Rangers.  In 2021, Ibanez hit for a .277 AVG, 7 HR, 25 RBI.  Ibanez is under team control until after the 2027 season.  His salary for 2022 is TBD because he is not yet arbitration eligible.

Nick Solak played 127 games with Texas last year.  In 2021, Solak primarily played 2B, but, with the Semien signing, it is likely that Solak will be a super-utility player.  In 2021, Solak hit for a .242 AVG, 11 HR, 49 RBI, and 7 SB.  Solak is under team control until 2026 and his salary for 2022 is TBD because he is not yet arbitration eligible.

Yonny Hernandez played 43 games with Texas last year.  In 2021, Hernandez played all infield positions except 1B.  In 2021, Hernandez hit for a .217 AVG, 0 HR, 6 RBI, and 11 SB.  Hernandez is under team control until at least 2028 and his salary for 2022 is TBD because he is not yet arbitration eligible.

Sherten Apostel played at three MILB levels in the Texas organization last year.  In 2020, Apostel played 7 games with Texas where he hit for a .100 AVG, 0 HR, 0 RBI.  Apostel is under team control until after the 2027 season.  His salary for 2022 is TBD because he is not yet arbitration eligible.

Ezequiel Duran was recently added to the Rangers 40-man roster so that they could protect him from the Rule 5 draft.  Duran was acquired from the New York Yankees as part of the Joey Gallo trade.  In 2021, Duran played for two teams at the A+ level where he hit for a .267 AVG, 19 HR, 79 RBI, and 19 SB.  Duran is under team control until at least 2028 and his salary for 2022 is TBD because he is not yet arbitration eligible.

State of the Texas Rangers’ 40-man roster overview

The Opening Day Roster for the Texas Rangers will be headlined by the recent free agent signings of Marcus Semien and Corey Seager.  Here is an early look at the 26-man active roster if the season started today.

Starting Pitchers (5)

Dane Dunning (R)

Taylor Hearn (L)

Jon Gray (R)

A.J. Alexy (R)

Kolby Allard (L)

Relief Pitchers (8)

Joe Barlow (R)

Brett Martin (L)

John King (L)

Spencer Patton (R)

Josh Sborz (R)

Dennis Santana (R)

Nick Snyder (R)

Demarcus Evans (R)

Catchers (2)

Jose Trevino (R)

Johan Heim (S)

Infielders (6)

1B- Nathaniel Lowe (L)

2B- Marcus Semien (R)

SS- Corey Seager (L)

3B- Isiah Kiner-Falefa (R)

Utility- Andy Ibanez (R)

Utility- Nick Solak (R)

Outfielders (5)

RF- Adolis Garcia (R)

CF- Leody Taveras (S)

LF- Kole Calhoun (L)

DH- Willie Calhoun (L)

OF- Eli White (R)

Batting Order                                                    Bench

1- Isiah Kiner-Falefa (R)                                                Andy Ibanez (R)

2- Nathaniel Lowe (L)                                                    Nick Solak (R)

3- Corey Seager (L)                                                         Eli White (R)

4- Marcus Semien (R)                                                    Johan Heim (S)

5- Adolis Garcia (R)

6- Willie Calhoun (L)

7- Kole Calhoun (L)

8- Jose Trevino (R)

9- Leody Taveras (S)

Final Thoughts

My belief is that once a new CBA is signed between the players and the owners, several changes will be made to both the 40-man and 26-man active rosters.  It is likely that one more veteran starting pitcher will signed through free agency.  This will bump Kolby Allard to the bullpen as the left-handed long-relief option.  Either Nick Snyder or Demarcus Evans will be sent to AAA.  One more outfielder will also be signed through free agency.  This move will bump Eli White to AAA.  For now, I am selecting Leody Taveras over White because Taveras is a switch hitter.  Kole Calhoun will become the extra outfielder and a left-hander bat off the bench.